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Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State basketball's strange win over Ohio State

Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch gives his initial thoughts on Michigan State's 62-44 win over Ohio State on Sunday at Breslin Center.

1. McQuaid and Goins rise up and rescue MSU in telling second-half rally

EAST LANSING – They are the ultimate collection of role players — Matt McQuaid, Kenny Goins, Kyle Ahrens, Xavier Tillman and Co. As good as any group as Michigan State basketball has ever had.

Their greatness, as one opposing coach described it this season, is that they’re great in those roles and in their understanding of them.

On Sunday, that meant stepping out of them. For McQuaid and Goins, at least.

MSU could have lost this game. Might have lost this game two weeks ago. Instead it won 62-44, outscoring the Buckeyes 20-2 down the stretch, with Cassius Winston hitting 3 of his 15 shots on the day and Nick Ward spending much of the second half on the bench after suffering a fractured bone in his hand.

I’ve written plenty about sweat equity this season and what that can mean for a team. What it does mean for this team. What you saw from McQuaid and Goins in the final half of the second half Sunday was the most meaningful 10 minutes of basketball either of them has ever played at MSU.

“They look like seniors, seniors in a big moment,” Winston said. “They do a great job keeping this team poised in big moments.”

At one point, they and Ahrens were on the court with Foster Loyer and Thomas Kithier in an even-up game with about 8 minutes remaining.

McQuaid hit two 3s and created two more on the drive — one to Goins, another to Ahrens. Goins, who was a pogo stick as a rebounder all afternoon, was as calm a shooter as I’ve ever seen him, hitting 4-of-5 shots in the second half, including a pair from long range. And did so when MSU needed it. When the Spartans needed him to be a scorer, he recognized it and delivered. As did McQuaid, who, even with Loyer on the court, took over as MSU’s playmaker and fought through some tough bounces with his shot.

This had the look of one of those games for MSU. You know those games — when a visiting opponent stares down the Spartans at Breslin Center and doesn’t blink. We saw that game against Indiana. Doesn’t matter how big the underdog or the records. It’s a matchup of athletes. And this MSU team doesn’t always clearly win those matchups.

Ohio State had a perfect scouting report. Played with energy and swagger out of the gate, hit shots and led by six at the half.

When that’s happening, it’s easy to forget what the Spartans’ role players can give them, what players like Goins and McQuaid have become, the development that’s taken place over four seasons. It’s easy to under-appreciate their games and impact.

What Goins and McQuaid showed Sunday is that MSU can lean on them for more than just being ideal complements to Winston. They won't have a choice now that Ward's injury could be season-ending.

2. MSU can't have this from Aaron Henry

Just when you think Aaron Henry has taken a step toward giving MSU what it needs from him the rest of this season, he has a game like this — and reminds you he’s still a freshman and he might not get there.

Ohio State is the sort of opponent against which Henry can really make a difference for MSU, changing who the Spartans are athletically. To do that, though, he has to be sure of himself. Offensively he was just about a no-show. When he did attack the basket, he was indecisive and wound up losing the ball.

Henry didn’t play the first seven minutes of the second half after his one-rebound, one-assist, one-turnover, 0-for-1 shooting first half. He didn’t look any better, a true regression in performance from a few days earlier.

Izzo threatened not to play Henry at all in the next game. I don’t think he’s serious. But it’s smart to hold Henry to a high standard, even a higher standard than the other freshmen. He is so critical to the ceiling of this MSU team.

3. Freshman thoughts – the Ohio State edition, Part II

Kithier was pressed into extended action after halftime, with Ward dealing with his hand injury and Xavier Tillman picking up a fourth foul early in the second half. Kithier was solid, as always, with two rebounds, one of them impressive as MSU was trying to grab momentum during a pivotal stretch with Winston on the bench. He also forced a turnover with MSU ahead 47-42, which kept the run going, and later scored inside over a defender for a 52-42 lead.

Kithier's role will expand perhaps for good now that Ward is out. He seems up to it. He's been arguably the surprise of the season. MSU can be grateful for that now.

Loyer played six minutes and didn’t record a stat. But he was on the floor for the decisive run. He didn’t give up anything really, either. And when he got stuck on the block on a switch, he fought Andre Wesson well enough to force other action (Well, a made 3 on the other side of that switch, but still.). McQuaid produced both MSU assists during that stretch, creating for teammates on the dribble. Loyer blended as well as he could. That’s what was needed from him in this one.

Gabe Brown played early and looked his age. His dish to Ward on the break came about three dribbles too early. It worked out, but he’ll make a better decision a year from now. That’s when he’ll really be part of things.